3 minute read

Saturday’s highlight at Kenilworth racecourse is the WFA Group 2 Graham Beck Memorial Sceptre Stakes, run over the 1200m straight course. Held in memory of one of South Africa’s breeding giants, it is also the third leg of the Fillies and Mares’ Sprint Series.

Via Africa won the first leg, the Group 2 Southern Cross Stakes over a 1000m at Kenilworth, in fine style, while the second leg, the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes over 1100m belonged to the Dennis Drier trained Sunshine Rock(AUS).

Only Sunshine Rock will be contesting the third leg, as Via Africa’s trainer Duncan Howells has aimed his filly at higher things, entering her in the Group 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m on January 26. Sunshine Rock is however unlikely to have it all her own way, as dual Group 1 winner and Equus Champion Two-Year –Old Filly, All Is Secret, from the Vaughan Marshall yard, will start next to Sunshine Rock in barrier seven.

Returning from a five-week break after a lacklustre fourth in the Group 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, All Is Secret looked in fine form at her Thursday morning trackwork gallop. With regular jockey Anton Marcus in the saddle and a 3.5kg advantage over Sunshine Rock, it will take a very special filly to beat her.

Sunshine Rock has won four of her five starts by a combined 13.5 lengths and while she has only a listed win to her credit, she does seem to be a very exciting filly. Stable jockey Sean Cormack, coming off a dominant victory on Beach Beauty in the Group 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, will be looking to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet. The weight of 6okg could however pose a problem, especially if the notorious Southeaster headwind blows on Saturday.

With the fillies jumping next to one another in barriers seven and eight, Marcus and Cormack could be fighting an exciting duel down the straight.

The Group 2 Graham Beck Memorial Sceptre Stakes is race eight at 16.40 (SAF) on a ten race card.